New Veolia CEO: Eco-Security is Essential for Growth

Veolia has announced the appointment of Richard Kirkman as the new CEO for Northern Europe and the group’s Head of Growth and Innovation.

Richard has previously served as CEO for Veolia's Australian and New Zealand division, in which he managed the transformation of the zone, doubling it in size over a five-year period.

There, he led the company’s Pacific operations which were responsible for US$2.8bn in annual revenue and 7,000 people across 350 operational sites.

Richard will replace outgoing CEO, UK and Senior Executive Vice-President, Northern Europe, Gavin Graveson, who has been appointed CEO of the group’s Asia Pacific Zone, effective from 2 April. 

Gavin will continue as a member of the Group Executive Committee as Richard takes over the company’s responsibilities for Northern Europe.

In his new role, Richard will oversee operations across the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland and the Netherlands, where the company provides services to industrial, municipal and commercial clients.

This zone comprises almost 20,000 people and US$5.4bn in revenue, with operations across water, waste and energy.

He will also head up growth and innovation at Veolia Group level, accelerating organic growth and new innovative offerings worldwide.

Commenting on his promotion, Richard says: “I am looking forward to building on the excellence that Gavin and the team have delivered across Northern Europe and supporting my colleagues as we drive to complete our GreenUp ambitions.”

Strengthening environmental ambitions

The company’s next phase under Richard involves the boosting of its growth trajectory, stimulating innovation and supporting international development, while continuing the performance of its operational fundamentals.

Several changes in management and appointments like Richard’s are being implemented to facilitate these changes and strengthen the organisation’s ambitions.

Discussing the company’s growth targets and Richard’s appointment, in a post on LinkedIn, Gavin said: “My time [at Veolia] has been defined by remarkable projects, growth, and exceptional teams I'm immensely proud of.

“Richard brings deep knowledge of this business and region, having worked here for many years, and his energetic and forward-thinking leadership will ensure Veolia continues to thrive and build on the strong foundations of GreenUp, our strategic plan.”

The missing link in ecological transformation

As Veolia successfully completes the first stage of its strategic GreenUp programme, a three year plan (2024-2027) designed to accelerate the deployment of affordable solutions to depollute and regenerate resources, the group is entering a new stage of sustainable growth.

According to a company statement, the group’s objective for GreenUp is to “make Veolia the missing link in ecological transformation” and establish future environmental security by drawing on its expertise in water, energy and waste.”

It also aims to support these goals through three growth boosters: Bioenergy, Flexibility and Energy Efficiency; Water Technologies & New Solutions; and Hazardous Waste Treatment, each supported by US$4.7bn in company growth investments. 

Discussing the GreenUp plan, Estelle Brachlianoff, Group CEO of Veolia, says: “The ecological awareness must now be channelled towards effective action, which protects rather than punishes, which reconciles the economy with ecology, and human health with the environment.”

Richard adds: “Environmental security is essential for public and private entities across the zone and our innovative solutions are primed to support economic growth with sustainable sovereignty.”